Return to Silent Hill Review: A Horror Movie Best Forgotten

Return to Silent Hill is the latest entry in the film franchise and is very loosely inspired by the 2001 video game Silent Hill 2. And honestly? This is a movie that’s destined to be forgotten. It genuinely felt like a made-for-TV Hallmark horror movie — one that had absolutely no business being shown in cinemas.

I’ve seen straight-to-DVD horror films from the early 2000s with more atmosphere, better effects, and stronger storytelling than this. What makes it even worse is that the film essentially ends where it began, leaving us with a vague question about whether everything we witnessed happened inside James’ mind or if it actually occurred in reality.

So, let’s break down what the ending really means, where this movie went wrong, and why it ultimately fails. Below is my full review of Return to Silent Hill and the ending explained.

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Return to Silent Hill Ending Explained

By the time we reach the end of the movie, we’ve spent nearly two hours following James Sunderland as he wanders through Silent Hill. He avoids grotesque creatures, trails young Laura, and desperately searches for his wife, Mary. Eventually, we learn the truth: Mary is dead.

James’ journey leads him to Brookhaven Hospital and, finally, the Lakeview Hotel, where the climax unfolds. Throughout this final stretch, the film drifts between different versions of Silent Hill. In one, we see the town as it once was — alive, thriving, and full of warmth. This represents the past, when James and Mary were together before her illness and before he walked away.

In contrast, the Silent Hill James experiences after her death is a nightmare — twisted, decaying, and hostile. That contrast feeds into the idea that much of what we’re seeing isn’t real in a literal sense, but instead a manifestation of James’ fractured mind.

James, Mary, and the Weight of Guilt

Through scenes involving James’ therapist, we discover that Mary died some time ago, and James simply cannot accept it. He clings to the belief that she’s still out there, which is why he continues searching for her.

His guilt runs deep. James left Mary because of her involvement in a cult that worshipped her father as a godlike figure. When she refused to distance herself from them, he walked away. Later, when Mary became terminally ill, James returned — but far too late. At her request, he ultimately ended her life, an act that shattered him completely.

That guilt is what drives the darkness consuming his mind. Despite repeated attempts by his therapist to push him toward acceptance and healing, James is incapable of moving on.

The Meaning Behind the Final Moments

The most symbolic moment comes when James drives into the water with Mary’s body. This isn’t just an act of despair — it represents his refusal to ever abandon her again. Where he once walked away, this time he chooses to stay, even if it means losing himself entirely.

When the movie closes with James meeting Mary again at the bus stop — as she prepares to leave Silent Hill — he knows exactly what’s happening. Instead of letting her go and allowing her the freedom she wanted, he chooses to relive their life together all over again.

It’s an incredibly bleak ending. James is trapped in his memories, choosing fantasy over reality. In the real world, he would likely be confined to a hospital bed, perceived as insane, endlessly asked by therapists whether he’s “making progress.”

A Strong Concept With Weak Execution

On paper, the story is compelling. Being consumed by grief, refusing to move forward, and choosing to live inside past memories rather than face reality is a powerful idea. Unfortunately, Return to Silent Hill completely fumbles the execution.

The film takes an interesting psychological concept and turns it into something confusing, repetitive, and painfully dull.

My Review of Return to Silent Hill

I went into this movie already expecting it to be bad, given the early reviews. Even so, it didn’t take long for me to realize just how poor it really was. I gave it one star on Letterboxd, and even that felt generous.

There are so many issues that it’s hard to know where to start, but the biggest problem is how boring the movie is.

A Tedious and Repetitive Narrative

The central idea — regret, guilt, and surrendering reality — should have been emotionally devastating. Instead, the movie drags its feet. The reveal that Mary is dead and that James killed her isn’t shocking in the slightest because it feels obvious from the start.

Most of the runtime is spent watching James wander through Silent Hill, clutching his head, having headaches, and repeating the same lines over and over. Very little of what we see actually moves the story forward, and much of it feels like filler.

The flashbacks do flesh out James and Mary’s relationship, but they’re overused and shallow. We watch a happy couple slowly fall apart, but there’s very little depth beyond that.

Underdeveloped Ideas and Missing Details

One of the strangest omissions is how little the movie explains the cult. They’re supposedly the main reason James left Mary, yet we learn almost nothing about what they believe, why her father is worshipped, or how any of it truly matters.

James also never properly articulates his resentment, fear, or anger. Nearly all of his dialogue boils down to variations of “I need to find her,” which makes each new location feel pointless. There’s no real jeopardy, no sense of danger, and no emotional momentum.

At times, it feels like watching video game cutscenes without ever getting to play the game.

Terrible CGI and Visuals

Another major issue is the CGI — some of the worst I’ve seen in recent years. And considering this movie released in 2026, there’s really no excuse.

From the first wide shot of Silent Hill, it’s painfully obvious how artificial everything looks. The mannequins, the creatures, and especially the spider-like monster are so cartoonish that they completely shatter any sense of immersion.

The fight involving Pyramid Head should have been iconic. Instead, it looked laughably bad.

On top of that, the environments are clearly filmed against blue or green screens, which drains the atmosphere entirely. The first-person perspective shots — meant as a nod to the games — are jarring and add nothing of value.

Cheap Scares and Wasted Creatures

To the movie’s credit, there are a couple of jump scares that actually work — even if they’re predictable and cheap. They managed to make me jump once or twice, and that’s about the only praise I can offer.

The film is packed with creatures, yet we learn nothing about them. No origins, no symbolism, no explanation of why they exist — especially if this is all happening inside James’ mind. Even the ending offers very little closure, opting for vague ambiguity that feels more confusing than clever.

Flat Performances and Weak Chemistry

The performances from Jeremy Irvine and Hannah Emily Anderson don’t help matters. Their chemistry feels nonexistent, and much of the dialogue sounds stiff and unnatural — like it’s being read straight from the page.

It only reinforces that Hallmark-movie feeling, which is the last thing you want in a psychological horror film.

Final Verdict: Is Return to Silent Hill Worth Watching?

Ultimately, Return to Silent Hill fails across the board. It has no real redeeming qualities, no standout performances, and no technical strengths. Even its best element — the story — isn’t original, as it’s lifted directly from the game.

It’s disappointing, because even with low expectations, I still hoped for something better than nearly two hours of a man aimlessly walking through a deadly town with zero tension.

This movie isn’t worth your time in the cinema. If you’re curious, it might be worth a single watch once it hits digital — but even then, don’t expect much. Chances are, you’ll walk away just as disappointed as I was.